THUNDER BAY — COVID-19 vaccination rates for staff in long-term care facilities in Thunder Bay increased significantly in some cases in the days leading up to Nov. 15.
That was the provincial government's deadline for workers to get at least one dose or face the prospect of losing their jobs.
Last month – according to data published by the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care – the rates for first-dose vaccinations of staff at six local nursing homes ranged from 92 per cent at both Hogarth Riverview Manor and Pioneer Ridge to 100 per cent at Southbridge Roseview and Southbridge Lakehead.
The first-dose rates at Southbridge Pinewood and Bethammi Nursing Home were 96 per cent and 99 per cent in October.
Updated statistics released Wednesday by St. Joseph's Care Group show that as the deadline approached, there was an upsurge in vaccinations for its nursing home staff.
At Hogarth Riverview, 97 per cent of staff are now fully vaccinated, while 99 per cent are fully vaccinated at Bethammi.
All three Southbridge facilities in Thunder Bay already had dual-dose vaccination rates between 95 per cent and 99 per cent last month.
TBNewswatch also requested updated data from the City of Thunder Bay.
A spokesperson said that as of Nov. 15, all active staff are fully vaccinated at Pioneer Ridge, and that the administration is "still working on inactive staff."
The deadline for long-term care workers in Ontario to be fully vaccinated is Dec.13.
